Lacy Boucle Clutch

Lacy Boucle Clutch by Sharon Slarke

Project Overview

The Lacy Boucle Clutch is a luxurious knitted evening bag designed by Sharon Slarke. This beginner-friendly knitting project creates an elegant clutch measuring approximately 19cm (7.5 inches) by 13cm (5 inches). The design features a sophisticated lacy stitch pattern combined with textured elements, making it an ideal accessory for special occasions. The finished clutch includes fabric lining and press stud closures for a polished, professional appearance.

Craft and Techniques

This project is created using knitting as the primary craft method. The clutch employs a combination of two distinct stitch patterns to achieve its luxurious appearance: a textured Irish Moss stitch for structural elements and an elegant Bias Lace Squares pattern for the decorative lacy sections. The lace pattern originates from a 1980s English knitting series titled Creative Knitting, volume three, bringing a vintage design sensibility to a contemporary accessory.

The construction technique involves working flat pieces on straight needles, which are then lined with fabric and finished with hardware closures. The inclusion of heavy satin lining fabric adds body and structure to the finished clutch, ensuring it maintains its shape during use.

Stitches Used

• Irish Moss Stitch: A reversible textured stitch created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard pattern across rows. This stitch provides visual interest and structural stability to the clutch.
• Bias Lace Squares Stitch: A decorative lace pattern featuring yarn forward increases (yf) and slip, knit, pass slip stitch over (skpo) decreases, creating an openwork design with diagonal bias lines and square motifs. This stitch pattern is worked over 10 rows and creates the signature lacy aesthetic of the clutch.
• Stockinette Stitch: Used in sections of the Bias Lace Squares pattern where knit and purl rows create smooth fabric between the lace elements.

Materials and Specifications

The clutch is knitted using Touch Exclusive Kid Mohair/Merino yarn in a chunky weight, requiring only 1 skein of 100g. The luxurious mohair-merino blend creates a soft, lustrous fabric with excellent drape and a subtle sheen ideal for evening wear.

Needles: Size 6mm straight needles (or size required to obtain proper gauge)

Gauge: 12.5 stitches to 10cm (4 inches) measured over the Bias Lace Squares stitch pattern using 6mm needles. Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper clutch dimensions and fabric hand.

Additional Materials: Lining fabric (preferably heavy satin to provide body and structure), and two press studs or snap closures approximately 1cm in diameter for securing the clutch closure.

Difficulty Level

This project is classified as beginner level, making it accessible to knitters new to lace patterns. While the Bias Lace Squares pattern includes yarn overs and decreases characteristic of lace knitting, the straightforward construction and relatively small finished size make this an excellent introductory project for learning decorative stitch techniques.